Time to Relax

The other night I was really in the mood for something I could put on the stove and then go relax.  I find cooking very relaxing and I look forward to coming home to make dinner, but sometimes I just want to sit on the couch and relax after work.  As I was searching through recipes, I came across this one from Giada for Beef and Cannellini Bean Minestrone and it sounded like the perfect thing to complete my day.  

Minestrone is one of my favorite soups, but it never has enough protein or substance to be a full meal.  Giada made a few changes to this one, the biggest one being that it calls for ground beef.  I used little shells like I do in my mom's Pasta Fagioli because Brian didn't want the beans.  I think it would be great either way.  This is one of those meals you could make to warm you up in the winter or in this case a summer soup full of great vegetables!

The best part of this meal was once I put all the ingredients in the pot, I was able to sit on the couch and watch America's Got Talent.  Nick Cannon makes me laugh!

Beef and Cannellini Bean Minestrone

Recipe courtesy of Giada

• Ingredients
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 rib celery, diced
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
• 8 ounces lean (8 percent fat) ground beef
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups low sodium beef broth
• 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

In a large saucepan, add the oil and heat over medium heat.  Stir in the onion, carrot and celery and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.  Increase the heat to high and add the ground beef and garlic.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes.  Stir in the tomato paste and mix to combine.  Add the broth, tomatoes, beans and bay leaf.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes.  Remove the bay leaf and discard.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with Parmesan.

One Grill Wonder

The other day I was searching around the Internet and found this hidden pocket of healthy recipes on the food network that all look great and seem like something different to throw into my repertoire. I particularly couldn't wait to try this one for Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce because it was kinda like a "One Pot Wonder" only on the grill. The dry aged beef at Bristol Farms has also been calling my name for a while and thought this would be the perfect thing to test it out on because the flavors are so simple and classic.

This is the perfect Spring/Summer dinner and a perfect excuse to dust off your grill and enjoy the sunshine! I also grilled some baguettes rubbed with garlic and parsley. Enjoy!

My Kind of Slam Dunk

I am always looking for recipes that either require a large percentage of items I have at home or that require very few items that I have to go buy. Why?

-I live 5 floors up from my car and want to carry the least amount possible

(Yes, I have a cart, but I am too stubborn to use it)

-It is less expensive

-If I buy some weirdo ingredient, I like to use it as much as possible

This Beef Noodle Stir Fry not only captures a lot of my favorite flavors, but also contains a lot of things I have in my pantry! It was flavorful, extremely fast to make and delicious. Actually, it was so fast to make, it was done before I had my Miso soup ready to go. Whoops! Dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes? I think that is a slam dunk!

Miso Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups Water

3 Tablespoons Miso Paste

6-8 oz Silken Tofu, diced

2 teaspoons dashi granules (or 4 teaspoons fish stock)

3 Scallions Sliced

Directions:

Using a medium saucepan, combine water and dashi and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and stir in miso. Add tofu and scallions. Simmer for 3 more minutes. Serve.

I ended up using the thin rice noodles because I forgot that is what kind I have at home, but it worked fine. Next time I plan on buying the wider ones because I like them best!

You could only find a big package of tofu and don't know what to do with the rest?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post! Happy Stir frying!

Cooking for One, Part II

There are a lot of reasons that I love having my husband around, but I do have to say one of the positives to him not coming home for dinner is that I can eat whatever I want...even if that means Lucky Charms! I didn't get a chance to make myself breakfast this morning or eat a normal lunch, I just ended up eating junk and snacks all day. Horrible. I needed protein, and some Lucky Charms just for good measure...

I made myself a beautiful egg white omelet with diced grape tomatoes, fresh spinach, mushrooms and a sprinkling of reduced fat cheddar. I bought myself a piece of filet, I know how decadent, and seasoned it with some McCormicks Grill Mates. That stuff is great, but a little goes a very long way. There is nothing like breakfast for dinner!

The other great thing about this meal is that it is so easy to prepare one or 5, so you aren't stuck with a ton of extra food.

So if you find yourself cooking for one, consider having breakfast for dinner, you might surprise yourself with how delicious it can be!

Asian Flavors

I love steak. I don't think I could ever be a vegetarian. I try to limit making any kind of beef to one night a week, and it is hard! So, if you are trying to do the same, have no fear with this Steak with Ginger-Hoisin Sauce...it was excellent!

I love when I can make something quick and easy that tastes like more effort than it actually was. I like to get a good "bang for my buck" with flavor! This meal had some Asian flavors, but they were light enough to really allow the ingredients to shine.

I also made a quick Asian Slaw to go with it. Kind of a hybrid side/salad...I am obsessed with "slaws" lately so you will be seeing a lot of them. I hate mayonnaise, but now that I have found some more interesting ways to make this kind of thing I really like it. I have also found that substituting things like fat free Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream instead of the Mayo makes a really nice slaw and I feel so much better about what I am putting into my body. It is a great way to use up random leftover vegetables in a great new way!

Valentine's Day

Brian has always told me that he was the cook in his previous relationships. If you have gathered anything about my husband you should take note that when left alone he survives on "In and Out", frozen Trader Joe's pasta, and everything he can possibly eat from the pantry. As you can imagine, I really was surprised he can cook! Who knew?

Last year for Valentine's Day I was working and thought it would be the perfect opportunity for him to cook for me. He always talked about "his FAMOUS salmon", so I couldn't wait to taste it! Let's just say, it didn't turn out how he remembered...

Archived picture from Valentine's Day 2010

This year I wanted to do something really special instead of just going to a restaurant which we do all the time. On our honeymoon this summer we got all these really special things during our travels. Some of the things are so special that I am afraid to use them! I thought what would be a more perfect time to use them other than our first married Valentine's Day!

I planned my whole menu around the special ingredients that we brought back.

The menu ended up being simple and beautifully highlighted my precious 20-year-aged Balsamic Vinegar and Black Truffles.

Caprese Salad with Burrata Cheese, Watermelon, Tomatoes, Fresh Basil and Balsamic Vinegar

Linguine with Garlic, Black Truffles and Parmesan

Balsamic Steak with Goat Cheese and Asparagus

Brian was in charge of dessert. He picked up 4 slices of his favorite pie from Marie Calendars. So funny and cute. I didn't post all 4 flavors, just my favorite: Banana Creme Pie.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone out there, hope you had a wonderful day!

Warming my Soul

All week I have been feeling like comfort food or no food at all. The idea of eating something cold seems unappealing which is so weird because it has been so beautiful outside. Don't know, but I thought Italian Beef Stew would be the perfect cure. Of course, with Stew you need hearty noodles of some kind and some bread to dip into the juices...Sounds good huh?

Half-way through making the dough for my Challa

Just in case you need a visual of the dough ball

Look how Beeeautiful my Cheese and Chive Challa is!

All Done! This is the perfect thing to make on a day when you have enough time to prepare the stew and let it simmer. It was great served over bow-tie pasta and of course with the bread. The big pieces of carrots were my favorite part, they made a perfect compliment to the juicy meat pieces. Brian went back for seconds...and thirds!

Superbowl Sunday

Superbowl Sunday to me is like the equivalent of Arbor Day. Actually, Arbor Day may be more interesting because it actually promotes planting trees for a good cause. In fact, when looking for the perfect mate back when I was dating, one of the attributes on my "must have" list was: Someone who is not obsessed with any big sporting event.

Nothing is more unattractive to me than someone who doesn't want to go anywhere because they "have to watch the game". Fortunately, my husband is only a pretender. I worked Sunday, and when I got home the Superbowl was on in the living room, but he was in his office studying.

Clearly an avid sports fan.

Even though I don't care much for professional football, I do care about Sloppy Joes! When I think of Sloppy Joes it brings me right back to 1st grade at Chadwick. It was the one day a month my mom didn't make me lunch and I got to eat from the Cafeteria. Her lunches were always great and involved hand drawn flowers on the bag with cute notes inside, but I still looked forward to Sloppy Joes every once and awhile!

It seemed like the perfect thing to make Sunday night!

Super Sloppy Joes Simmering. Love this recipe because it had tons of great flavor and no ketchup involved at all! Sorry Jack...

I served my Sloppy Joes with some Roasted Corn and Blue Cheese Cole Slaw. I came up with this recipe after having something very similar and amazing at the Crow Bar in Corona del Mar.

My adapted (less caloric and fattening) recipe is the following:

-1 Bag Shredded Cabbage (or 1/2 head of Cabbage Shredded)

-1/2 cup Shredded Carrots

-3 Tablespoons Plain Reduced Fat Greek Yogurt

-2 Table Spoons Crumbled Blue Cheese

-2 Tablespoons Reduced Fat Blue Cheese Dressing

-1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

-Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and Chill Before Serving. Done! Easy! Tasty! Enjoy!

High Hopes

I really had high hopes for this recipe I tried last night for these Wild Mushroom, Flank Steak and Poblano Tacos. I followed the recipe exactly (unusual I know) and it just wasn't great. After reading all of the reviews this morning, I realize it might have just been a yucky piece of flank steak that I bought. I am going to blame it on that I guess. I think if there would have been a marinade then it wouldn't have been so chewy and kind of flavorless.

Next time, I would get my meat from where I usually do, Bristol Farms, and maybe marinade it in something first. I am just feeling blah about it....I promised to be completely frank on this blog and that comes with the good, great, okay and the bad! Tonight's dinner will be better!

My salad! One of the highlights! Had to post a picture and look at the glass half full!

I rubbed some chili powder as well as salt and spray butter on the corn and it turned out excellent! If someone tries this recipe and it turns out well, you have to let me know what you did differently!

Call the Fire Department!

I saw this recipe and thought it looked really interesting and had to try it! I have never made Flat Iron Steaks before, but I am up for trying anything once. It was very easy to make and really flavorful despite the tiny prep time.

Unfortunately, I was tired/wasn't reading properly/made a mistake and accidentally used Cayenne Pepper instead of Chili Powder. I swear it was like that show Man v. Food! SO SPICY. Now, Brian and I both love spicy food, but this was ridic. Thank god for the beautiful, and very refreshing Tomato Sauce that cooled the whole thing down.

This recipe for Chili-Espresso Rubbed Steaks with Warm Tomato Sauce was outstanding! I will definitely make this again...but the correct way!

I paired it with some Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Baby Artichokes. They made a nice mild side dish to go with the robust meat. Unlike the meat, they took more time to prepare, but the rub does need to sit on the meat for 30 minutes so I did all the prep work while the meat was resting. The time worked out perfectly and everything was done at the right time.

Spice Rub

Excellent Warm Tomato Sauce

Finished meal! Even though I made a big mistake and made it super spicy, it was still really good and I can't wait to make it again.

Easy Provencal...Filet Mignon

I am finally starting to get back into the swing of things after crazy December! As you probably noticed by my lack of posts the last few weeks, I could not get myself to cook dinner regularly like usual, and when I did cook, I forgot to take pictures. No pictures, no posting...

Tonight I made a take on a recipe I saw in Ina Garten's new cookbook: How Easy is That? The recipe she has in the cookbook is called Easy Provencal Lamb. It was just the two of us and I was too lazy to look for a lamb leg as I was traipsing around the grocery store in my 4 inch high heels after work, so I got Filet Mignon. I know, totally different, but whatever...it worked and it was probably 10 precious steps closer to the checkout than the lamb.

This is approximately what I did:

Easy Provencal...Filet Mignon

• 2 six ounce pieces Filet Mignon
• 3 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic, divided
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 pound ripe red tomatoes, cored and 1-inch-diced
• 1/8 cup good olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons good honey, divided
• 1/2 large Spanish onion, sliced
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 
  
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place the steaks in a roasting dish. Combine the mustard, half the garlic, rosemary, balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor (a mini one if you have it) and pulse till herbs are minced. Spread the mixture over the meat.
• Place tomatoes, olive oil, half the honey, the onion, remaining garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and toss well. Pour tomato mixture around the meat and tuck the rosemary and thyme springs under meat. Drizzle with remaining honey. Roast for 20 minutes at 450, then for another 5-10 at 400. Remove meat from oven and cover with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes to let juices reabsorb and rest. Serve with tomato and onion mixture.

I also made some roasted Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash with the meat. Overall it was a good meal that tasted like I cooked it for a long time. It was quick, easy and best of all...Brian cleaned the dishes!

Happy Hanukkah!!

As I was looking through the new Holiday Cooking Light magazine a couple weeks ago, I had a revelation I wanted to have a small Hanukkah Party and try out some of these new recipes! I prepared my grocery list and planned all week, and I got so excited about my little party on Sunday. Unfortunately, the more excited I got, the more my throat started to hurt and the more my sinuses were plugging up. As much as I kept fighting it, this terrible flu/cold/whatever is going around was making a nice home in my body.

Sunday morning I woke up so sick, but still hell bent on having this party because I already had all the food, prepared all week, and was excited!! If it weren't for my amazing husband, I wouldn't have been able to have done everything to prepare. He really helped me in the kitchen when he saw me starting to feel really yucky and lose my energy. He fried all the potato latkes and helped me clean as I went along cooking. The mess he made frying the latkes is another story all together...potato EVERYWHERE!

By the time my guests came, I was totally exhausted and was ready to get in bed, but was so happy to see everyone! My menu was as follows:

Cheese and Chive Challa
Beer Braised Brisket with Honey Lime Glaze
Roasted Vegetables
Traditional Potato Latkes
Curried Butternut Squash Potato Latkes with Apple Salsa

Brisket and all the goodies. It is amazing how all of it literally MELTED
into the meat after 4 hours of baking!

I don't know how you make this big of a mess, but I didn't complain because I was able to rest a little before everyone came over


Even on the toaster!!

Cambert, Goat Cheese, Grapes and Crackers

Sweet Raisin Crackers and Mixed Olives

My Table

My Challah (I forgot to take a picture of it, but it was really beautiful!)

Menorah on the 5th night

Roasted Vegetables

Potato Latkes

Apple Salsa

Brisket


Me and My Sis


My sister's beautiful desserts...she is the best baker!!



Whew! It was so fun cooking for my friends and having a party with my wonderful husband! What are your plans for the holidays?

Korean Grilled Beef Lettuce Wraps

About a year ago my friend, Bridget, emailed me this recipe from the New York Times that we both thought looked really good. I made it, despite my lack of a grill, and we loved it! Last week, I decided to make it again and try it out with our new grill. Like I said in my previous post, we had a little change in plans so the meat ended up marinading for 24 hours instead of 30 minutes. It was a HUGE blessing. HUGE improvement on the first time I made it because you could really taste the marinade and the Asian Pear you grate into the beer/soy mixture.

Instead of the white rice, I used some whole wheat spaghetti, extra vegetables I had in the refrigerator, a little soy sauce and a little hoisin to make some "chow mein". I also made some Cucumber Salad because that is one of our favorites whenever we go to sushi. The whole meal is tastes light and fresh, but still is plenty filling.

My condiment platter: (from left to right) Bean sprouts, Cilantro,
Hot Sauce, Shredded Carrots, Hoisin Sauce



Cucumber Salad

Chow Mein

Koren Grilled Beef


Try this one! It is great and a sure winner!

Movie Night!

Last night I came home and was totally exhausted from work and feeling sick. I guess I caught that bug that is going around and it is really trying to kick me down! I usually have a lot of energy, but I have been waking up unable to go work out and barely able to make it through the day. I was SO happy when I came home to Brian who had the BEST plan! I was making his favorite dinner and he had downloaded Eat, Pray, Love on our AppleTV! We were on our honeymoon when this movie came out and missed it in the theater. I have been wanting to see it for some time now and it did not disappoint me one bit. We ate our Apricot Glazed Filets (I use filet mignon because I don't always see nice lamb chops), Roasted Carrots and Brussel Sprouts and Tomato Basil Bisque Soup on the couch while watching the movie! It was WONDERFUL!

The movie left us missing Italy so bad we could actually taste it...the food I mean and I was wishing I was in Bali in the warm sun instead of on the couch with blankets and the heat on! Well, I guess I can look forward to our trip to South Beach in February!

Apricot Glaze all ready for the meat to come off BBQ

My beautiful Carrots and Brussel Sprouts, I added a little Tarragon and Thyme also for a little change up on the traditional salt and pepper I usually do

Finished Meal minus the soup because I got it from Bristol Farms! What a relaxing night!